Bible Stories

I've always been a fan of the 'vase;' the second-in-command. The one who does a lot of the legwork, but doesn't complain out of duty or honor or what-have-ya. In works of fantasy, he might be a brooding giant of a man with an axe or hammer. Or an old man who sees a vision of himself in the protagonist. Or maybe a scoundrel-with-a-heart-of-gold turned comic relief. Basically, I enjoy perspective from the side. What's happening in the background. What happens when "Exit our hero stage left?" If an author or cartoonist can effectively portray what the ordinary mook is thinking when his chief isn't around, then I'm duly impressed.

Which is why I did this series of four comics.

This is the first one I did. I remember the process of looking up how, exactly, to make the panels show up. A rare occurrence of something being easier in MS Paint than Photoshop (oh wait). The story goes that Jesus went to the temple, and when he got there, money changers and double-dealing merchants were getting rich off of things like the Purpose Driven Life sacrificial animals. Jesus became angry and started throwing things around saying his Father's house wasn't meant to be used like this.

This one makes me laugh. I don't recall if it was a decision to make these panels so close together and dark... or what. Anyways, Sodom and Gomorrah has just been destroyed. Lot and his wife are leaving, but she decides to look back. Lo and behold, she is turned into a pillar of salt. A very tasty pillar of salt. I really like the cross hatching on the hem of her skirt and sleeves.

This came from a sketch I did in my moleskine during church one Sunday. I eventually had to sketch it out a bit more delicately. Savvy viewers will notice my ability to copy and paste the same scene twice in order to come up with three panels. I've often wondered if these should be flipped horizontally.

 

This was the last, and most complex, strip I ever did. I was intent on making more use of my sketchpad to create more ideas for panels rather than copying and pasting. The second panel makes me happy because of the different perspective on the Unnamed Disciple's face. And the third panel makes me happy because of the way Chinstrap is shoveling food into his mouth. I think perhaps, Christ should actually have feet, but then, maybe his robe is in the way. Incidentally, this story of the disciples falling asleep while Christ prayed before his death always perplexed me. I mean... it seems ridiculous that these men who'd braved storms and excommunication and destitution just... dozed off. Ridiculous or endearing, maybe. In the end, they were just men. Men who got tired, scared, and sometimes made mistakes.

I certainly hope your soul is now a little lighter after that romp through the Holy Book.

Shalom!